mannitol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical / Chemical
Quick answer
What does “mannitol” mean?
A sugar alcohol (polyol) used as a sweetener and a medication.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sugar alcohol (polyol) used as a sweetener and a medication.
A naturally occurring hexitol, an isomer of sorbitol, derived from mannose and found in plants and fungi. It is used industrially as a sweetener in diabetic foods, medically as an osmotic diuretic to reduce intracranial or intraocular pressure, and as a diagnostic agent in kidney function tests.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation of the suffix '-itol' may have a slightly softer 't' in some British accents. Both variants use the same spelling.
Connotations
Neutral in both; purely technical/medical term.
Frequency
Equally rare in general language. Frequency is confined to medical, pharmaceutical, food science, and chemistry domains.
Grammar
How to Use “mannitol” in a Sentence
N + for + condition (mannitol for cerebral oedema)N + as + role (mannitol as a sweetener)N + in + formulation (mannitol in the injection)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mannitol” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No verb form.
American English
- No verb form.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form.
American English
- No adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form. Possible technical derivative: 'mannitol-induced diuresis'.
- The mannitol-containing solution was prepared.
American English
- No standard adjective form. Possible technical derivative: 'mannitol-reduced ice cream'.
- The mannitol-based therapy was effective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In pharmaceutical or food ingredient supply: 'The contract specifies a shipment of pharmaceutical-grade mannitol.'
Academic
In biochemistry papers: 'The pathway for mannitol biosynthesis was elucidated.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. Possibly on a food label: 'Sweeteners: mannitol, sucralose.'
Technical
In medical instructions: 'Prepare a 20% mannitol solution for IV infusion.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mannitol”
- Misspelling as 'manitol', 'mannatol'.
- Incorrect pronunciation stress on the second syllable (/məˈnaɪtəl/).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a mannitol') – it is uncountable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a naturally occurring substance in many plants and fungi, but it is also produced industrially for commercial use.
Primarily as an osmotic diuretic to reduce high pressure inside the skull (intracranial pressure) or the eye (intraocular pressure).
No. Some people have a hereditary intolerance to mannitol, and excessive consumption can have a laxative effect.
It is a sugar alcohol with fewer calories, a lower glycaemic index, and it does not promote tooth decay. It is not metabolised by oral bacteria.
A sugar alcohol (polyol) used as a sweetener and a medication.
Mannitol is usually technical / medical / chemical in register.
Mannitol: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmænɪtɒl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmænɪtɔːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MANniTOL: Think of a MAN giving a sweet TOLL (payment) – a man-made sweetener used as a medicinal payment/treatment.
Conceptual Metaphor
MANNITOL IS A TOOL (for reducing pressure or for sweetening).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'mannitol' most likely to be used?